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"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27).

Read Psalm 4:1-8.

Is God commanding us to be angry? Many think this verse justifies

anger. However, a closer look at the words gives clearer understanding.

The verb for be ye angry is one word in the Greek, and it is written in the passive tense, having the sense of "when you are exasperated or
angered." The passive tense implies that something is done that makes you angry. "When something happens that makes you angry, don't sin.,'

Paul is acknowledging the fact that we get angry, that it is a natural, human reaction. But he also warns us to not sin, to not let the sun go down on our wrath.It is inevitable; things will happen and we will become angry. However, Paul exhorts us to work through our passions and emotions over things that have been done to us-and to do so be-

fore the sun goes down.

As David was fleeing fromAbsalom, he wrote, "stand in awe, and sin not" 1Ps. 4:4). Stand in awe means to tremble or rage with violent emotion, especially from anger or fear! David was being wronged, and he was in danger. He had all the natural factors that lead to raging anger, and yet he wrote, ". . . and sin not." We know that for David the natural response was to be angry, because as he spoke to his own heart, he counseled himself to be still and quiet. He chose to not be angry. When we
a-re

wronged, our natural response is anger, but that is indeed

the natural response, the response of the flesh. God commands us to not sin when we are angered. Rather than justifying our temper or by tak-

ing things into our own hands, we have to choose to receive the grace of God to overcome the anger, and to trust God.

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God to forgive you for the times you have sinned as a result

of anger. (Be specific if God brings specific situations to mind.) Ask God to teach you to deal with your sin of anger and to help you walk
tn righteousness.

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Applicalion oF Ephesians 4:26

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27).

I. The first step in overcoming anger is to admit that it is sin.

Read Galatians 5:19-2I, Colossians 3:8, and Matthew 5:21-22.
1.

According to these verses, what is God's view of

anger?_

2. When you are angry, against whom do you sin?

3.If

the other person is 95Vo wrong, does that mean you did not sin when you became angry? List by name the people with whom you are most often angry:

List the most recent times that you were angry:

II. The second step in overcoming anger is to accept personal

responsitlility for your angry reactions.
Read Revelation20:|2.
4. What does God hold you accountable for?
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You cannot make the other person repent, but you are held responsible

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for your own actions, and you can take steps to correct your relationship with God and with others.
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God to help you see what your responsibility was when you got angry. How was your heart not pure before Him? (Examples: self-centeredness, greed, expectations)

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Read Matthew 5:22-24.

(In verse 23, note the placement of the word therefore.)

5.If

someone has something against you, how does

it affect your

relationship with him/her?

6. How does it affect your relationship with God?

7. What does God instruct you to do about it?

8. Are you

willing to obey God on this matter? (You will find peace

only through obedience.)

9. List (by name) those to whom you have shown anger and have not

cleared the offense.

10.

Follow the "Steps to Gain a Clear Conscience" (next page) on how to go and make things right with them.
the Lord for the grace to take personal responsibility and to

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obey Him in gaining a clear conscience.

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02007 Kay Camenisch' www.kaycamenisch.com

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Psalm24:14 Hebrews I2:14-I5

Philippians 2:1-4
1 Peter

"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heari

and a good conscience and sincere
NASB).

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faith" (l

Timothy 1:5

Continue the application of these truths by completing Steps to Gain a Clear Conscience in the exercise below.

$teps to 0ain a Clear Conscience

I. Confess your sin to God and
Read l John 1:9.
A. Ask the Lord to help you see where you were wrong. B. With God's help, identify the attirudes of your heart that did not represent God's attitudes in those situations.
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ask Him to forgive you for your anger.

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C. Pray, asking God's forgiveness where you were wrong.

II. Forgive

the other person for what he did that prompted your anger.

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Read Matthew 6:14-15.

A.If the hurt is deep, rnaking it difficult to forgive, read

Matthew 18:21-35. (Put yourself in the story and ponder what God has done for you.)
B. Pray, telling God you forgive that person.

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il{lt8: rr you have forgiven the person with whom You were
angry but the harsh, critical attitude remains (or continues to come back), You will need to deal with bitterness in order to find freedom. StePs

III.

Go to those whom you have offended with your anger and ask each one for forgiveness. A. Prepare. Determine beforehand what you
;i:-Keep it brief.

will

say'

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Do not place any blame on the other person' ;i:- Do not defend yourself or explain why you got
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freedom from bitterness can be found with the "Be Not

angry.

Bitter"
meditation (Lesson 13).

Say something like this: "The Lord has convicted me that was wrong when I 7ot an7ry.Would youforgive me?"

Do not say, "I'm sorry." Ask for forgiveness. If the individual is not willing to respond positively, express your desire, but don't push. Give the Lord time to work in his heart'

It is even better to also ask forgiveness for your wrong attitudes'

Example: "The Lord showed me that when I got angry at you' I was being pridefut and not being considerate of you'Would you forgive me for my pride, my lack of consideration, my
anger, and the hurt

caused You?

"

B. Ask the Lord to prepare the other person to receive you and to bring about reconciliation. C. Seek the Lord concerning the best time to go to each person you have offended. Ask God to give you a pure heart and genuine love for them.

D. Go in obedience to God, using the wording you prepared ahead of time . Trust God for reconciliation, rather than trying
to make the other Person change.

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